Puppy Sofie in shopping cart
My friends, Mojo’s humans, are trying to decide whether to bring a new puppy into their lives. They are struggling with the decision on many levels. This made me think about how animals have come into my family over the years and the driving forces behind their adoptions.
Nikki was my first puppy at 8 weeks of age, and I got her from a breeder because I wanted a Cocker Spaniel puppy, and that is the only way I thought you got one. I did not know about rescue in those days and my mother told me that dogs from shelters all had 3 legs (it is a long story and probably was her attempt to get me not to keep asking for another pet). I was in my twenties and learned all about late night feedings and whining and potty runs, down 2 flights of stairs in an apartment. I got Nikkolette, even though I had 4 cats at the time, because I missed having a dog, and had just had major back surgery and had a need for the attention and unconditional love that a dog gives. She was part of my recovery. Nikki was with me through out-of-state moves, purchases of new homes, the birth of my daughter, divorce, remarriage, step kids, more cats, and, in her last years, the addition of my first rescue, Squash E Bear. 18 years is a long time.
Squash E Bear was already middle aged when he rescued us. Nikki must have been 17. I wish that I could have seen Squash as a puppy, but he was such a spry 5 or 7-year-old. V and the kids found him on the road and none of us ever looked back. He softened the blow when Nikki passed over and forced me to exercise several times a day, no matter how much my body hurt, because, he needed to walk and I needed him. If you have read the blog you know that he will always be my Soul-Dog. He rescued the whole family in magical ways.
Louise was about 5 or 6 months (that is still a puppy – right?) when we brought this terrified little mess home to be Squashes eyes (he had gone blind from the diabetes). I thought it would help him stay connected in his dark world and she absolutely did. He was probably about 9 or 10 when she came. To this day she likes to take other dogs leads and walk them. She was there for me when Squash passed over. So the walking continued and though it was just her and me now, we started to find our rhythm. She continues to teach me a different view of the world from one who is shy and fearful and gives me unconditional love and devotion.
I was mourning the loss of Squash so much, and for some reason my back had taken an unexpected turn so I was laid up for a few months, at which time V thought maybe I needed a puppy to brighten my heart and get me out of bed. Hence how we found the ever-loving, Miss Sofie Bear. She was supposed to be a Collie/Shepard (kind of like Squash) but turned out to be a Sheltie/Corgie or something like that – so unique and so wonderful. She was about 14 or 16 weeks, who knows with rescues. And there she is (pic above) on her ‘Gotcha Day,’ in a cart at Home Depot with me. My little sausage patty, who is always happy and smiling and wants a tummy rub.
Each of my dogs came to me at different times in my life, for different reasons, and I am so blessed by every one of my animals and the lessons they teach me.
So why did you get your puppy?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tags: adoption, Animal, animal awareness, Cocker Spaniel, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogDaz, Dogs, Pet, pets, postaday, Puppies, Puppy
Shhhhh….don’t tell but….
Photo taken by K8
Sometimes I think the dogs are telling each other little secrets that I am just not part of. They have their own sister language that does not include anyone else. Maybe they are planning how to break out of the yard by digging a hole under the fence (that would definitely by Sofie’s idea). Or they are planning a special surprise ambush of a cat or two when they return inside later that day (also a Sofie idea). Wait, maybe it is about hiding all the broken toys so that Mommy doesn’t find them (this would be a Louise idea). Do dogs have secrets? Can they be trusted to keep a secret? Have you ever seen a dog on the front of one of the trashy magazines at the grocery store bragging about all the stupid and immature things that their celebrity owners did? No. Neither have I. Dogs must actually be really good at keeping secrets. Just imagine the headlines if some of those canine or felines (like the Royal Corgies in the Queen’s parlor) told the world what they really saw. I trust my dogs with my deepest thoughts and I think they honor that…. unless, of course, someone pays them a lot of bones to spill the beans. BOL BOL BOL
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, dog, Dog People, DogDaz, Dogs, Pet, pets, postaday, Queen, secrets
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Why is it that most dogs like to walk as far out on the lead as they can? They may not pull or jump, but they like to be at the ‘end of the line.’ Or is it actually at the ‘front of the line?’ Either way, almost any dog that I have had, likes to take the lead as far as they can. I know that leading is suppose to be my job and I am sure that many of you animal trainers out there are saying that I am being ‘lead around’ by my dogs (which is probably not a good thing from a leadership stand-point), but sometimes, and usually on our sniffy walks around the neighborhood, I just don’t mind. Sofie is more of a follower than a leader. She is off leash 99.9% of the time and usually a bush or 2 back sniffing away. Louise is a step ahead. Lulu is on the leash because I just do not trusted that she will not bolt into someone’s yard if she sees a squirrel or other creature. When is it OK to follow their lead? Am I suppose to keep them tight by my side and at my heel in all situations? But this is the sniffy, go potty, walk, so should I care?. I don’t mind being at the end of the line – as long as I am the leader.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animals, cute dogs, dog, Dog People, dog walking, DogDaz, Dogs, Lead, Pet, pets, postaday
There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth, yet until we have felt its force, it is not ours. To the cognition of the brain must be added the experience of the soul. ~Arnold Bennet
What is life if not the culmination of the things that we have experienced; the deep and unyielding collection of events that are burned into our memory banks. Some of them we can not even remember, but they still created a mark, a scar maybe, a ripple in the scheme of our total recall.
Louise is an emotional dog. She was about 5 months old when we rescued her, and that could be a lifetime of experiences that we just will never really know about. I think Louise’s start in life was bad. I know she was neglected, but I think that she probably was emotionally, if not physically, abused.
She is a good dog. And to those she trusts, she is a sweet dog. She is leery of strangers and fearful of loud and overwhelming humans. The freedom and abandon she possesses as she runs at max speed across a field is amazing, but then she can quickly hide behind me and snarl at a dog or human that is getting to close or reminds her of something. I adore this dog but I do not understand her yet. She is teaching me about her fear and shyness and how the emotions can scar the soul so deeply and longly, that building confidence can become a life long challenge.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: adoption, Animal, animal abuse, animal awareness, Animal welfare, animals, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogDaz, Dogs, Emotion, emotional scars, nature, Pet, pets, postaday, shelter dog
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This morning we were out in the yard playing under the Big Tree. We love the cool breezes and the crazy squirrels. The leaves are falling on our heads and sticking to our feet. We are having so much fun chewing on sticks that fall from the trees in the wind, gnaw gnaw gnaw. Nine, the mischief cat, keeps trying to come play in the yard with us, but Mommy won’t let him. It is fun to dig under the leaves and hide our toys. I try to sneak bones out of the house and plant them to see if they will grow a bone tree next spring. Louise says that is silly and the squirrels will come at night and dig them up and then eat them. I don’t believe her. I am going to grow a bone tree. Mommy found one on the internet for me, so it must be real. 
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animals, dog, Dog Bones, Dog People, DogDaz, Dogs, funny dogs, nature, Pet, pets, postaday, squirrel
I am not sure what this means, but it seems that while I was away on business last week, Noël’s blogging increased my blog traffic significantly. I have been worrying about how low my readership was getting. My daily traffic rates have been steadily declining all year, but my recent absence appears to have caused a positive spike. What does this mean? Should DOGDaz become CATDaz? Should I let Noël or the other cats run the zoo more often? Should I go on more business trips?
The blog traffic has been a mystery to me. As you know, I write DogDaz because I love to rant and rave about my animals and this gives me a way to have a positive start to my day and have some fun and feedback. Blogging is such a personal thing. I definitely find that it has become a major part of my life this past year (next month will be a year since I started). Writing my little posts and thinking about the animals, their role in my life and my role in theirs, gives me great peace and happiness. This new dimension, created through social media, provides an outlet that I find not only cathartic but addicting. I will need to go back and see what it is about the Noël posts that made people read us that day. Maybe it was the feline tone; the self-centered smugness of her highness, Queen Noël, the Christmas Cat; or maybe, it was just one of those statistical blips that happens in the blogosphere.
What makes you read us one day more than another?
Feedback greatly welcome – I am always trying to entertain and improve.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, Blog, Cat, Dog People, DogDaz, Pet, pets, postaday, Social media
The 
problem with trying to take a shower here at the zoo is that there are always at least 2 animals that are in the bathroom with me at any time and several lining up outside the door trying to get in. At this point, and now that all the kids are gone, I don’t bother to close the door because it is only going to get scratched up or some animal is going to stand on the other side of it and whimper and bark (and we all know who that would be.) Louise, being the muscular thin haired dog that she is, does not like the cold tile of the floor, so, unless I put my bathrobe or a large towel down, she prefers to wait right outside the door on the carpet. Sofie on the other hand, having 3 layers of fur, loves the cold tile and lies right outside the shower door. Sometimes it is really hard to get out of the shower because she is fast asleep on the bath mat and has me trapped in the stall. I guess they need to know where I am at all times.
I thought that when the kids no longer lived at home, I could finally have the master bathroom back. Even though there are 2 other bathrooms in the house, everyone wants mine (it does have the best shower and the best light, but I really think it is BECAUSE IT IS NOT THEIRS!) I have given up trying to keep animals out. My huge soaking bathtub has become a velodrome for cat athletics. Nine and Stella go racing into the bathroom the minute I open the door to chase cat toys around the inside of the tub (it is really great for rolling little cat balls around and it keeps them busy for a long time). Kitty of course, likes to pee on the rug by the sink, and Muffin likes to chew on the plants (he does this first thing in the morning so that he can tick me off and I will go upstairs and feed him). The only one that I have never seen in my bathroom is Noël (but maybe I just don’t see her because my bathroom is all white and she is all white too (just joking)). But really, she does not come in there.
With Sofie’s allergies this season, I am kind of glad that she stays with me when I shower, so that the steam opens up her airways a little (yes, I am always thinking like a Mother). Is it the comfort of being near or is it the soothing sound of the water that relaxes her and puts her to sleep in a matter of moments?
I don’t mind sharing the master bath with the other master in the house, but all these minors are just making me crazy. Oh, did I mention the black Labby Lulu hair that just covers the white tiles any time she enters the room?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, Bathroom, Cat, cats, cute dogs, dog, Dog People, DogDaz, Dogs, nature, Pet, pets, postaday, Shower
Breezy Point was a little breezy today. Did I explain that it is called that because it is the point where the Magothy River (which is our tributary to the Chesapeake Bay) splits into 2 creeks, Divining Creek and Mill Creek. I live in the middle of the 2 creeks and the peninsula point tends to always be breezy. This is one of my favorite spots and I think it is for the dogs too. The dogs and I love to go down to the very tip of the point and watch the boats out on the river and the seabirds doing their seabird things. Lulu likes to run in the stand of bamboo which is always getting overgrown and Sofie likes to venture out on the pier and sniff for new smells (she would like to dig in the sandbox, but I do not let her).
There 
are days that I could just loose track of time watching the clouds go by but the dogs seem to have a different agenda. They need to always be moving. They want to run and find something new and exciting to do. They need to chase a squirrel or a stick or each other; not content to while away the afternoon with me just reading a book on a bench. So off we go on another adventure, somewhere, over a hill or visiting a dog friend. I guess there will be time enough, when they are older to sit and just enjoy the view (maybe), for now, we press on and go explore some other beautiful vista.
Do you have a favorite spot with your dog?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, Chesapeake Bay, cute dogs, dog, Dog People, DogDaz, Magothy River, Mill Creek, nature, Pet, pets, postaday
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New people moved in next door (well actually behind us). They have 3 boys of varying ages. So yesterday, I noted that the dogs had a new white ball. Hummm, I don’t remember buying them a white ball. They were running all over the place, chasing and stealing it from each other. So I had to investigate. Lulu brought me the ball and dropped it on my foot. Ouch! I declare, that thing is heavy. It was a real, honest to goodness, hard ball, the kind that baseball players use. I assume that it must have come over the fence from the new kids. I was going to return it but the dogs are having such a great time with it that I do not think the new people will want a ball with tons of teeth marks. I am so blessed that people are providing the dogs free play toys. I hope this is not un-new-neighborly of me. Baseball season is over anyway, isn’t it?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, Baseball, cute dogs, dog, Dog People, DogDaz, Dogs, Pet, pets, postaday
How nice to receive an “Inspiring Blog Award,” from David Kanigan of Lead,Learn.Live Thank you very much, you David are the one that is inspirational. David says that by blogging he is trying to “share some of these “ah-ha” moments or inspirations that make him wonder, make him laugh or bring tears to his eyes.” Thanks for finding what we do here at DogDaz inspirational, because we get a lot from you too.
Awards are wonderful surprises. Along with many of them come some rules, so here they are and here are my answers:
(1) Link back to the person who nominated you: DONE above
(2) Post the award image to your page: DONE on right
(3) Tell seven facts about yourself: DONE below
Fact 1: I am gluten, dairy, and red meat free (I eat poultry and fish), but my animals are not.
Fact 2: Even when I clean my office, it is always a mess.
Fact 3: I have collected elephant paraphernalia since I was 4 and I never cared if the trunk was up or down.
Fact 4: If the family did not stop me I probably would have several more dogs.
Fact 5: When I was younger I dreamed of breeding a wolf/malamute hybrid and training them to be child protection dogs when children were out in the yard playing, so that no one would steal them. Weird huh?
Fact 6: Blogging has taken over as my number 2 hobby, next to the animals (but are they really a hobby?)
Fact 7: Sometimes I just can’t think of what to write, but then I do, and it all works out in the end.
(4) Nominate 5-10 other blogs, DONE below and, as always, I try to find new blogs that I have not awarded something to before, so here they are:
1. Georgia About
2. Expressions in a Tcup
3. PetSign_cri
4. One Thousand Single Days
5. Living and Loving
(5) Let them know they are nominated. PINGBACK – you’re notified. No really I will comment on their sites. LOL
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Blog, Cat People, Dog People, DogDaz, Inspiring Blog Award, Pet, pets, postaday, Site Awards
